Since their series win over the Colorado Rockies last week in Denver, the Washington Nationals have lost four of six to the Cleveland Indians and Philadelphia Phillies to fall to a game under .500. However, the Nats still sit in second place in the National League East thanks to a whole lot of disappointment out of the Phillies, New York Mets and Miami Marlins.
Not much is different for the Nationals heading into this series, other than the return of their ace, Stephen Strasburg, from the disabled list.
Strasburg allowed just one run on one hit in his return on June 16 but was saddled with a 2-0 loss to the Indians. Strasburg lasted five innings and did have trouble with control, walking four batters to go along with his four strikeouts.
The Rockies are faced with the task of dealing with Strasburg and Jordan Zimmermann, who is 9-3 with a 2.44 ERA, in the first two games of the series. Zimmermann has dominated the Rockies in his career, going 3-0 with a 1.80 ERA in 30 career innings. However, he struggled in his last start, surrendering six runs on eight hits in five innings against Cleveland on June 15.
Shortstop Ian Desmond continues to be one of the Nationals' better offensive threats in Bryce Harper's absence. Desmond recently had a 15-game hitting streak snapped, but not before he went 7-for-10 with five runs batted in against the Rockies. He also hit the ball that Troy Tulowitzki broke his rib diving for. Boo you, Desmond.
For more on the Nationals, be sure to check out Federal Baseball.
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Probable pitchers
Game 1: Thursday, June 20 at 5:05 p.m. MT (ROOT Sports)
Roy Oswalt (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Jordan Zimmermann (9-3, 2.44 ERA)
Game 2: Friday, June 21 at 5:05 p.m. MT (ROOT Sports)
Tyler Chatwood (4-1, 2.33) vs. Stephen Strasburg (3-6, 2.50)
Game 3: Saturday, June 22 at 10:05 a.m. MT (ROOT Sports, MLB Network)
Jhoulys Chacin (5-3, 4.26) vs. Dan Haren (4-8, 5.72)
Game 4: Sunday, June 23 at 11:35 a.m. MT (ROOT Sports)
Jorge De La Rosa (7-4, 3.21) vs. Ross Detwiler (2-5, 3.34)
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